Introduction to the Three Treasures

In Chinese philosophy, all things are considered as changing states of energy. This is confirmed by modern science, especially quantum physics. Even Einstein’s famous equation showed that energy is equal to mass (times the speed of light squared). As the paradigm of materialism comes down more people are looking at energy‘s effects in our everyday lives.

In Chinese Medicine are the concept of the Three Treasures, known as Jing, Qi and Shen. These definitions from Wikipedia give a few ideas of what these are all about.

The generally accepted English translation of each is the first word, but the others tell you more about them as well.

JING

The best analogy to describe the three treasures is that of a candle. Jing is the body of the candle or the wax and the wick. This is the main component or the foundation for the rest.

The candle analogy is one of the best ways to understand jing, qi and shen.

In The Healing Promise of Qi, Roger Jahnke discusses jing and says its “equivalent to neurotransmitters, hormones, DNA, sperm and the egg.”

Jing can be divided into a few categories. There is the concept of prenatal or original jing. This is the essence or constitution passed onto you by your parents (and their parents, so on through your ancestry). Some people believe that you have a limited amount of jing. You must guard this and not deplete it through a harsh lifestyle.

Others believe that Jing can not just be protected, but restored and built up through practices like Qi Gong and taking herbs rich in jing like He Shou Wu and Shilajit. This jing is called postnatal jing to distinguish it from your original amount. Jing can also be divided into yin and yang but that’s another subject that we’ll discuss later.

Jing helps to determine your life span and the vitality you have during life. The concept of prenatal Jing is in line with research showing how healthy your parents are plays a big role in your constitution. (See Deep Nutrition, The Better Baby Book and more.)

QI

Back to the candle, qi is the flame. This is the energy in action. Note that without the candle (jing) you can’t have the flame (qi). Once the candle is melted away completely (jing is depleted) than the flame goes away (death). It is for this reason that jing is also called the superior ultimate treasure.

As discussed in a recent article, qi also governs the blood. Polyrhachis ant is the most powerful of qi tonics. Soon we’ll also be carrying more qi tonics like Eleuthero and Rhodiola rosea.

SHEN

The light given off by the candle is the Shen. You could say that this is the purpose of the candle, to illuminate, and such is our shen. But you can’t cast off the light in a big way or for a long time without both a foundation of jing and qi.

Shen is not just the spirit but has to do with our mind and consciousness. Different herbs like wild Reishi can enhance your shen, while others serve to stabilize shen and our emotions.

Interactions of the Three Treasures

Jing is housed in the kidneys. Qi is housed in the spleen and lungs. Shen is housed in the heart. Remember that these are not the organs themselves as thought of in the west, but energy systems that interplay with each other and the rest of the body.

“When we develop jing, we get a large amount of qi, automatically. When we have a large amount of Qi, we will also have strong shen, and we will become bright and glowing as a holy man.” – Daoist Master Sung Jin Park

Thus, you see the importance of starting with jing. This is the primary three treasure effect of Phoenix Formula, although it helps with qi as well.

Logan Christopher has been called the Physical Culture Renaissance Man for his many wide-ranging feats of strength. His interest in herbalism, hormones and health began with seeking peak performance mentally and physically.

For women’s hormonal issues, I definitely recommend you look at our Athena Women’s Formula page. The herbs listed in that are some of the best hormonal herbs for women. Others we sell include: pine pollen, kacip, and shilajit. There are of course many more herbs that help in addition like Nettle Leaf. I personally need to learn more and plan to this coming year to be able to give better advise since we will be pushing the woman angle more then ever next year.

Hair thinning I am not sure about. I know with guys I would say to look into Nettle Root and He Shou Wu. Perhaps He Shou Wu can help some? I am sorry I do not know more about that issue.

Crystal…. Great questions! What your describing and questioning within this scope of consideration points to hormone stability, potential effects of stressors and imbalances at the level of hormone and systems chemistry. From this perspective it makes sense to consider testing for hormone balances, aroma taste ( conversion of hormones internally) estradiol and perhaps some chemical influences that have built up in body tissues and are influencing, metabolics and the influences hormonally let alone the cascading along the way….

I was wondering if there is something special I can take and do withOUT A THYROID I had thyroid cancer and neck cancer I have been juicing and taking herbs about one year after the surgery and my health has tremendously improved. But I was wondering since I am trying to study the Chinese medicines in reading your article if there was anything you may know that I can take that may help with this the only pill that I take is my thyroid pill thyroxine other than that I only juice intake my herbs pine pollen he Shou Wu astragalus ashwagandha

Unfortunately Kenneth, I am not that well versed on how to properly treat thyroid issues (or lack of thyroid issues). I do know those herbs should be helping it somewhat. I do want to write a Thyroid function article sometime soon after the new site gets launched so will look into removal of the organ but you probably know more then I at this point. Sorry I can’t be oh more assistance.

Kenneth, as a former US Army Medical Platoon Sgt and since Thyroid issues do run in my family, I strongly recommend you get with a MD that knows something about Tri-Iodine. Most MDs do not. Try the Holistic/Environmental and/or Comprehensive MDs. You need to be taking at least 50 mg of Tri-Iodine if you are taking Levothyroxine/Synthroid or even the Dessicated Thyroid that comes from a Pig which even the Orthodox Rabbis have declared “Kosher” since it has been proven to work 30% more effective than Synthectic Thyroid medicines by a US ArmY Endocrinologist that treats the members of Congress/SCOTUS/POTUS at the very prestigious Walter Reed Army Hospital. With Synthetic or Dessicated, your Thyroid should be functioning properly and thus need to be taking Tri-Iodine (Kelp) or you run a risk of getting Cancer if you do not take Iodine. Also, if your MD is pleased with your Blood Tests and yet you still suffer from the same signs and symptoms (many people do), try making an appointment with of the different types of MDs I mentioned above to try a Dessicated Thyroid.
Note: The Thyroid, as you may well know, is a part of the Endocrine System so any Herbs that targets the Endocrine System should be very helpful to you.
Note1: The Thyroid, Breast – male and female and the Prostate are Iodine hogs so without Iodine flowing through your body you will have a great proclivity to get Cancer.
Note2: Taking MSM or Sulfur will also help to contain Cancer and is very healthy for you. There is at least ONE Herb that Zane sells that has MSM in it.
Note3: Eating Organic foods will contain the most Iodine, but other foods may or may not have any Iodine especially in America due to farming techniques.

There is no best. You have to find what works for you and your body. We have a number of herbs here that can help. As above, this would mostly be classified as a Jing deficiency. Any of the herbs in this formula would be worth working with: https://supermanherbs.com/thors-hammer/

You guys keep impressing me more and more. The info about the three treasures was great. Thank you for that and for referencing Ron Teegarden also. He is a fount of knowledge when it comes to TCM and I am glad that you use his knowledge to share with us.

Footer

Quick Links

Lost Empire Herbs offers a wide range of high-quality super herbs and tinctures, including pine pollen powder and pine pollen tincture, tongkat ali extract, shilajit powder and resin, among other herbs and products to help people dramatically improve their health and lives. Read more about our mission here.